Opinion of The Tribune

Bouquets and Brickbats: Why would Bo Derek back Lenthall?

The actress doesn’t live in SLO County; could the Republican just be playing a partisan role?

First, full disclosure: We, too, endorsed Jerry Lenthall for county supervisor. But at least we live in San Luis Obispo County, which is more than we can say for actress Bo Derek. This may be reverse snobbery, but do we really need movie stars from the Santa Ynez Valley sticking their cornrows into San Luis Obispo County politics?

True, Bo is a Republican. So is Jerry. But beyond that, it’s hard to figure out why Bo would take an interest in our local, supposedly nonpartisan race.

Then again, maybe she really, truly cares about the Nacimiento Water Project or Nipomo’s growth cap or our smart-growth policies.

We suspect, though, that this is more about party loyalty, and that’s a shame, because we believe our local campaigns—whether for county supervisor, mayor or school district trustee—should focus on issues, rather than partisanship.

So tell you what, Bo, we won’t send Zac Efron traipsing into Santa Barbara County to back your local candidates if you promise not to meddle any more in San Luis Obispo County politics.

Otherwise, we’ve got “10” perfect brickbats for you, Bo, along with a star-struck brickbat for Jerry.

Cancer survivor has winning attitude

Talk about a winning attitude — 15-year-old Matt Howell not only handles a cancer diagnosis with grace and composure, but he also suggests that a $1,500 donation offered to his family go instead to the Stanford University cancer center where he was treated. Matt, who plays football and baseball for the Paso High Bearcats, is a pro in our book, and we pitch him a grand-slam

bouquet.

100 bouquets for Halcyon Store

We’re sending a centennial bouquet to the historic Halcyon Store and Post Office, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this summer. We also offer our best wishes and a big thank-you bouquet to Susie Clark, who’s owned the store for the past 25 years but is in the process of turning it over to her daughter, Jennie Foremaster. Clark will continue to work at the store, but also plans to do some traveling. Bon voyage, Susie.

Susie Clark

Grover’s bad roads lead to taxes

We’re tempted to personally deliver a pothole-pitted brickbat to the city of Grover Beach, where streets are so deteriorated that officials may ask for as much as $33 million in new taxes for road repairs. If the streets are really that bad, though, maybe we’ll just mail the brickbat instead.

To be fair, we point out that it isn’t the current city administration that should be blamed for the mess. At least it’s doing something about the problem.

But somewhere along the road, Grover Beach officials allowed the disrepair to get way out of hand, to the point where the current City Council may have to ask voters to approve an assessment tax dedicated to road repairs.